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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my fiance overreacted by getting a younger woman's number because I double booked by accident, and threw my belongings about?

1000 replies

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:52

I am trying to work out whether I am being unfair or whether my fiancé genuinely overreacts to situations.
I was spending a long weekend with him and we had plans for Monday. Friday to Sunday eve were lovely and we did sightseeing etc. then went to his and were planning to stay there for a few nights.

However, I realised I had accidentally double-booked the Monday because my adult DD had arranged for me to meet her new boyfriend and his father over lunch. It was important to her and had been organised for a while. DD has is ND and has severe MH issues; this is the first "normal" relationship she has had and it's a huge deal for her.

I told my fiancé on Sunday afternoon that I would go to the lunch for a few hours and then come back afterwards so we could still spend the Monday evening together and the following days.

He was furious. He said I was choosing other people over him and repeatedly referred to my daughter's boyfriend and his father as "strange men". He seemed particularly upset that I would be spending time with another man, even though it was DD's BF's dad not just a random stranger.

After I had told him I had double booked and would need to go for a few hours we were arguing about it non-stop for hours. I was crying at one point and I kept saying I was sorry, it was human error, not deliberate. After all this arguing I was tired and wanted to stay in, but at around 11pm he insisted we go out. While we were out he deliberately started talking to a much younger woman, introduced himself to her, claimed he got her Instagram and then repeatedly talked about how he was meeting her for dinner the next day. His argument was that if I was going for lunch with strange men the next day, then why couldn't he meet up with a new person too? Even though it was not the same at all, obviously. The young woman must have been about 20 and we are both in our 40's so it just felt really weird and "off".

The argument continued after we got back to his for most of the night and I got very little sleep. The next morning I had to get an extremely expensive Uber to make sure I did not let my daughter down and miss the lunch. He had said not to come back to his after lunch but then called me when I was in the Uber and asked me to come back to his after all.

The lunch itself was lovely. Afterwards, I travelled back to his. However, when I arrived we had another argument. During it, he picked up my bags and threw them across the room in anger, they went everywhere as he threw them so hard.

He later continued to use the lunch as an example of me not caring about him enough and prioritising other people over our relationship, and how I like "strange men".

From my point of view, I attended an important family event for a few hours and still made the effort to return afterwards. From his point of view, I had disrespected him and chosen other people over him.

When I told him how much the Uber cost he took offence because I have never gotten an Uber to his even if I am running late; he said he didn't realise I have money in this way.

When I went back to his after the lunch I had to get a standing room only train in the middle of the heatwave; I don't like public transport at the best of times and he kept asking when I arrived what did I want to do; meet his friends in the pub or go straight to his. I said I don't care and was almost in tears as I was finding the journey so stressful. I didn't realise but he had me on loud speaker so all his friends heard me when I said "I don't care" and now he's saying his friends all think I am horrible and rude to him. When it was taken out of context and they didn't know we had been arguing all night and that he'd got a much younger woman's contact details the night before.

Am I missing something or was he overreacting?

OP posts:
JuliaRobHurts · 01/06/2026 15:12

Unbelievable that people behave in this way. Absolutely psychotic way to act. A few hours apart should've been welcomed after spending a generous amount of time together.

Petty, jealous and controlling are probably his best qualities.Wouldn't like to see what his worst qualities are.

Topseyt123 · 01/06/2026 15:13

I know things can't be easy for you, but this is horrendously abusive and you should get away from this awful excuse for a man now. You need and deserve so much better.

Call Women's Aid if you need help to get out.

Go back to your own place now if you safely can. Hopefully he doesn't have a key to it, but if he does then get an emergency locksmith and change the locks. Don't let him across your threshold again and if he pesters you then call the police.

Speak to your family. It sounds like they already have the measure of this arsehole in some way and they may well want to help you.

Block his phone number and block him on all forms of messenger and social media (including WhatsApp). Don't let him try to worm his way back in using his friends' phones either. Block those when/if he tries them too.

ClairDeLaLune · 01/06/2026 15:13

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 14:43

This is so helpful you have put into words what I am thinking really.
Yes he has made me feel at fault for stuff gradually over time, and yes he was not a all like this to begin with, he was very nice and normal. But he has got more and more critical as time has gone on. Of course I never thought that I could end up in this sort of a situation.

Now have realised you are in an abusive situation OP, what are you going to do about it? Please tell us you’re making plans to split up from him.

Jane143 · 01/06/2026 15:13

Namechangeforthisdilemma1 · 01/06/2026 15:08

This type of man gradually crept up on these women too… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4w0k29yg7o

Yes he’s exactly this type. Please leave him and seek comfort in your family x

Blondiebeachbabe · 01/06/2026 15:14

He sounds unhinged! Absolutely raving mad. I actually felt quite scared for you reading your post, as I don't think you're safe. I am shocked and aghast that you actually went back to him after all that. The going out at 11pm and him chatting up another woman, are SO mad, that I can't quite believe what I'm reading. Are you that desperate for a man? Get your stuff and never see this loony again, please!

RisingSunn · 01/06/2026 15:15

OP - he sounds as though he can cause harm/get violent.

For your own sake and that of your daughters - get rid.

InconsequentialFerret · 01/06/2026 15:18

I am a total fool for letting it get to this stage.

So have you dumped him yet?

Laurmolonlabe · 01/06/2026 15:18

There are so many red flags in this l don't know where to start, l would definitely think twice before marrying him.

Ricequark · 01/06/2026 15:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Blondiebeachbabe · 01/06/2026 15:20

I felt the hairs stand up on my neck reading this. Every fibre in my being is screaming RUN

PenelopePinkerton · 01/06/2026 15:21

Utter controlling wanker. LEAVE NOW😢

whistlesandbells · 01/06/2026 15:21

This is how my vile ex husband abused me. Relentless arguing to wear you down being the hallmark. He used to throw things about - it escalates to violence and personal attack. It is about control and not wanting you have to contact with anyone unless he allows it. Do note that everything he said always led back to him, how he feels, how it makes him look blah blah blah.
You will be deeply unhappy if you stay with this man with huge regrets. I wish I had paid attention to this - my ex husband has now intentionally alienated me from our children because I dared to leave. Do not continue with this man - get out now.

PinkyFlamingo · 01/06/2026 15:22

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:58

Didn't realise how long my post was 🫠

I didn't feel very respected at all, it was horrible going out so late to what is essentially a student bar just to watch him show me how easily he can pick up other, much younger, women. I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

So why are you putting up with this? Do you think so little of yourself?!

Mossey55 · 01/06/2026 15:22

Run like the wind

cordeliavorkosigan · 01/06/2026 15:24

Op, you may love the man you thought he was. But this man doesn't love you. These are the actions of someone who, deep down, hates you , wants you to suffer, and wants to control you and isolate you from everyone in your life.
Please do not marry this abusive man. He doesn't deserve you. Your dd needs you. And you only get one life.

Morecoffeewanted · 01/06/2026 15:24

My concern would be your safety in getting away from him if you decide that is best. He could turn even nastier and he knows where you live.

Maybe change the locks if he has had a key. Get some extra padlocks. Look at security where you live.

Block him from any social media and change your phone number if he tries to harrass you. He may use friends or family members to put pressure on you.

Be prepared for him to follow you begging for another chance. There may be an offer to meet and talk, to go to councilling or to attend a program for violent behaviour. There may be crying, suicide threats and attempts to make you believe that this was behaviour due to a specific reason (i.e. a new medical prescription or disease).

My personal experience (and those of my friends) has been that if you take him back after any of the behaviour above it escalates. There may be a period of calm or even what looks like a genuine desire to change but this is just a lull before it gets worse.

I wish you all the best for your escape. There are lots of good men out there.

KoiTetra · 01/06/2026 15:24

Please for the love of god leave this man as soon as you safely can!

FairKoala · 01/06/2026 15:25

Why do you stay with him?

Fernticket · 01/06/2026 15:26

Dump the fucker!

Sunnydaysarehereagain2026 · 01/06/2026 15:26

Op is 1979 your birth year? Seriously at your age your bar should en so much higher.

When my exh ruined my 40th birthday he was an exh before I was 41..
Way too old to be treated like shit..
And so are you!
You deserve so much more..

ClairDeLaLune · 01/06/2026 15:27

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 14:31

I think this is why I posted; I do know on some level this isn't normal or acceptable but due to the way my friends dislike him and siblings as well, we have ended up in a weird little cocoon where it is just the two of us and I am starting to forget what normal is like.

I think keeping me awake for so long, arguing over the same thing was especially awful as I was then tired the next day and as such I was tired before I went to the meal (and ended up getting a very expensive Uber to arrive on time).

It’s classic abuser behaviour to cut you off from your friends and family so that it’s just the 2 of you and he can control you. And then it becomes your reality and you lose touch with what normality is. And before long he’ll become violent towards you as well as your possessions, and you won’t have anyone to turn to for help. Please break the sequence OP and get out.

Crikeyalmighty · 01/06/2026 15:28

This took me back OP - I lived with someone like this for 3 years between my 2 marriages- initially I was very flattered as compared to my perfectly ok but self centred ex H he was very ‘attentive’ and yes it did feel like a very ‘us’ cocoon - gradually though it became very claustrophobic, wanted all my time, always wanted to pick me up after events, then started getting moody and aggressive if I didn’t always have the same plans - it just ‘ramped up’ - and it occurred on me I didn’t want to be someone’s whole life, just part of it - I ended up doing a runner when he was out for a day - banged stuff in storeage , had sorted somewhere to live in advance - I always wondered how women ended up being with guys who flipped and did them harm - OP these kinds of guys become very controlling , please get out whilst you can .

Quine0nline · 01/06/2026 15:29

More red flags than may day in Moscow. Ltb.

OneNewLeader · 01/06/2026 15:32

I hope you’re OK now?
Please end this relationship, in a way that is safe for you. If you stay, it will get worse, he’s cruel and you’ve normalised it.

Girlwithavibe · 01/06/2026 15:33

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:58

Didn't realise how long my post was 🫠

I didn't feel very respected at all, it was horrible going out so late to what is essentially a student bar just to watch him show me how easily he can pick up other, much younger, women. I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

Let him then because I'm not being funny wtaf u even chatting to him as soon as he was arguing id have walked away ! No man wud tell me who I couldn't see or not see it was a genuine mistake of double booking !!!
He has zero respect for u ZERO !!!! Please respect yourself and walk away !

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